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Who feels happy?! 🍀
A fast-growing southern city must feel like they’ve hit the jackpot. Not known as a major hub, and largely kept quiet as an underrated capital city, you might think that North Carolina residents typically have to fly out of Charlotte when they need a passport.
But Aer Lingus chose to give Charlotte the boot in favor of another Carolina city, so they must have done that Raleigh I was itching for a trip across the pond.
That’s right – Raleigh just made history and welcomed her very first flight to Ireland on April 13.
While you may have missed the first adventure, the Travel Off Path team hopes Lady Luck is on your side with a tax refund so you can put your hard-earned money to good use on a fun Irish vacation.
Raleigh is quietly becoming an international flight hub
Charlotte and Asheville might want to be on the lookout, as there are two trendy getaways in the “Tar Heel State” right now:
While Charlotte is being touted as America’s new next level foodie destinationRaleigh has been moving up the ranks – and there’s no further proof than the surprising number of international flights in NC’s vibrant capital.
Add Dublin added to the list of impressive passport destinations such as Reykjavik, Paris, Panama City and fellow newcomers such as Punta Cana.
Montego Bay didn’t work out for a myriad of reasons, but locals and Irish travelers are excited about a new route – and there are still plenty of valuable icons to add to your passport stamp collection from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).
Dublin is the newest of the bunch, and also happens to be one of the fastest flights to Europe, given its extreme western location relative to the American mainland.
And that makes the flight even more exciting – to use Ireland’s most iconic city as a springboard as RDU representatives praised Aer Lingus’ connections to “England, Scotland, France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands”.
The Deets for Raleigh’s groundbreaking new flight
Call us fashionably late to the party if you like (as I write this in my pajamas), but even if you missed the blue ribbon cutting, this route is a keeper.
In other words, it’s not one of those blink-and-miss seasonal offers.
In fact, RDU will operate Aer Lingus flights to Dublin (DUB). 5 times a week on one of the more spacious narrow-body aircraft, an Airbus 321XLR.
Unfortunately, the promotional rates were not mentioned in the official press release.
However, I dug deep and found the absolute best deal if Dublin is calling:
- May 12 – May 19: $847 return
Tickets are quite expensive all summer long, but remember: this is only to Dublin and back.
If you venture into other European cities, you may be offered completely different rates.
So we did a test.
Because RDU hopes travelers will use Aer Lingus as a gateway as much as an Irish holiday, we chose Paris as one of the destinations listed to see how much it costs compared to Dublin on their cheapest date:
- May 12 – May 19: $1,337 return
Sheesh! Looks like you’re going to Dublin!
For the record, Aer Lingus isn’t exactly a household name, but as Ireland’s flagship airline it is certified as a four-star airline and scores a perfect 7/7 for safety on Airline ratings.
Why Dublin is such a great city to visit
Before you delve into the appeal of Dublin, you’ll want to check the entry requirements before entering Ireland, but the good news is that it’s the only EU country that doesn’t fingerprint Americans.
Additionally, safety is always paramount for travelers venturing abroad, but the good news is that both Dublin itself and Ireland as a whole are considered remarkably safe to explore.
Here’s our real-time data for both below:
Dublin is not just a gateway; it’s the kind of place you’ll want to linger, especially in the coming months when pub patios spill out outdoors, parks turn postcard green and event calendars fill up fast!
Of course, a trip to Ireland in general isn’t complete without a stop at a local pub for a pint of Guinness, but there’s plenty to do and see that isn’t all about bar stools and dimly lit taverns.
With the threat of winter only a long way away, some of Dublin’s most vibrant and festive months are in full force ahead, with lively patios and festivals, such as Bloomsday mid-June.
Even though a vacation here costs a pretty penny, you don’t have to stay within the city limits.
Wandering through the countryside of Ireland you are almost obliged to witness astonishing castles, rolling emerald green landscapes and the famous Cliffs of Moher if you fancy a full day trek.
The bottom line is that Dublin makes a great base as your main residence or place of residence to venture all the way elsewhere in Europe.
To put it simply, Raleigh travelers didn’t just get a new nonstop route; they also gained easy access to one of the world’s most rewarding corners of Europe, which is safe, cultural and breathtakingly beautiful.
